Tibet, late 17th century AD
Distemper on cotton

Depicted as Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, in his right hand, the king holds the stem of a red utpala flower that supports a flaming double-edged khadga (sword), which cuts through all delusions. In his left, the stem of the blue utpala, which bears the manuscript Prajnaparamita. Below a group of ascetic devotees kneel in reverence. At the left stands a turban headed man holding an exotic musical instrument (vina). In the lower right, another subject awaits wearing Chinese style robes and a fur cap. These individuals represent the inhabitants of the Shambhala kingdom that were united under Manjushri Yasha.

Denman Waldo Ross Collection, 1906   06.327